H.O.S.H. - Themes, Rhythms & Harmonies

H.O.S.H. - Themes, Rhythms & Harmonies
The spread of deepness within the German minimal community continues on these two tracks by Hamburg's Holger Behn, aka H.O.S.H. His 'Steppenwolf' release earlier this year, also on Diynamic, was widely praised for its punchy vision of tech house – not to mention its wind section – but here the drums have truly gorged themselves on fatty American beats. 'Themes, Rhythms and Harmonies' nods to Berlin's Rhythm and Sound with its blandly descriptive title and swollen dub pulses, but they're too brazenly foregrounded to be more than just a nod: this is more Sebo K than Maurizio. With smooth snatches of soul talk creeping between rhythms and claves that properly resonate - unlike the dead woodblocks of minimal – it’s clear which side of the Atlantic Behn is looking to.

On the B you’d think the title of 'Jazzkantine' would give the game away but don't be scared off: aside from a pithy guitar lick and a bit of sparse Rhodes noodling, this is less jazz house than another fine slab of obedient, if kooky, 4/4. The Barry White voiceover resurfaces over waves of jubilant applause - rather confident on H.O.S.H's part - as the big drums hammer away, but the attention to fine detail and tight construction mark this out as no mere revivalist exercise.

This is an excellent follow up to ‘Feuervogel’, with the gorgeous squelch of 'Themes...' winning by a nose. Diynamic are looking increasingly hot in 2007.

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A fascinating musical mind, HOSH crafts alluring sound waves that lift crowds with magnetism. Taking any audience on a galactic trip is no easy feat. After a decade of worldwide touring and dedication to the art, he makes it look simple.
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